Predators bust out with season-high 7 goals vs. TB

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith blocks a shot in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

/ AP

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith blocks a shot in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith blocks a shot in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (/ AP)

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, right, is congratulated by Ryan Malone (12) after Stamkos scored against the Nashville Predators in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

/ AP

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, right, is congratulated by Ryan Malone (12) after Stamkos scored against the Nashville Predators in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, right, is congratulated by Ryan Malone (12) after Stamkos scored against the Nashville Predators in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (/ AP)

Nashville Predators center Steve Sullivan (26) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Lukas Krajicek (2), of the Czech Republic, hit the boards as they chase down the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

/ AP

Nashville Predators center Steve Sullivan (26) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Lukas Krajicek (2), of the Czech Republic, hit the boards as they chase down the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators center Steve Sullivan (26) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Lukas Krajicek (2), of the Czech Republic, hit the boards as they chase down the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (/ AP)

David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist each had a goal and an assist, and the Nashville Predators used a five-goal second period to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-4 on Tuesday night.

Jerred Smithson, Ryan Jones, J.P. Dumont, Dan Hamhuis and Martin Erat also scored for Nashville, which set a season high for goals in a game, topping the six they had at Ottawa on Oct. 22.

Vincent Lecavalier had two goals and an assist, and Steven Stamkos and Kurtis Foster added goals for the Lightning.

Smithson gave Nashville a 1-0 lead 6:53 in. Legwand's wraparound shot was blocked, and Smithson gained control of the puck in traffic in the crease. He put a rebound past goalie Antero Niittymaki.

Stamkos tied it less than 5 minutes later when he skated by Shea Weber and then had the puck slipped off his stick into the net. He got the puck between the pads of Nashville's Pekka Rinne at 11:35.

Lecavalier struck on the power play with 3:30 left in the period to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead. Foster passed the puck to Lecavalier just above the right circle for a slap shot that beat Rinne to his glove side.

The Predators scored twice in the first 3 minutes to go ahead. Legwand's goal from in front at 1:12 tied it, and Jones put in a missed shot by Nick Spaling 1:45 later to make it 3-2.

Hornqvist's goal at 12:22 prompted Lightning coach Rick Tocchet to pull Niittymaki and replace him with Mike Smith. But Smith didn't fare any better as he allowed Dumont's goal 28 seconds after he got into the game.

Hamhuis capped off the second-period outburst with a slap shot from a few feet inside the blue line with 3:51 remaining to put the Predators ahead 6-2.

Foster cut the Lightning's deficit to three goals 1:52 into the third period with a power-play tally. Lecavalier made it 6-4 at 12:20.

Erat finished the scoring with 6:13 left.

NOTES: Jones has a goal in his last three games. ... Niittymaki had allowed four goals in a game four times this season, and twice in three days. Dumont hadn't scored since Nov. 28. ... Spaling, in his first game since being recalled from Milwaukee of the AHL, earned his first assist with the Predators. ... Nashville RW Joel Ward had two assists. The Predators are 11-0 this season when he registers a point.